Boiler unit for electric steam radiators



Oct. 10, 1944. F. MclN'rosl-l 2,359,774

BOILER UNIT FOR ELECTRIC STEAM RADIATORS Filgd Feb. 17. 1941 rneys,

Patented Oct. 10, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOILER UNIT FOR ELECTRIC STEAM RADIATORS 4 Claims.

This invention relates to electric steam radiators and has particularly to do with a boiler unit for the same.

The type of electric steam radiator under consideration is fully described in Patent No. 2,266,016, patented December 16, 1941.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new type of boiler for an electric steam radiator which is easily constructed, readily installed, and efiective in use.

Other objects and features of the invention having to do with details of construction and operation will be set forth in the following description and claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the assembly of a radiator showing a portion cut away.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the lines 22 of Fig, 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of one modification of the boiler unit of the invention.

As shown in the drawing, the radiator consists of a plurality of sections Ill joined together at the bottom to form a continuous passageway therethrough. In this passageway, in the lower portion of the radiator, is a boiler unit.

It has previously been thought that a boiler unit for this type of radiator must necessarily be an enclosed unit with tubes at the top portion thereof for the projecting of steam into the radiator sections. The present invention, however, consists of a boiler unit which avoids the necessity for such tubes. This new type of boiler unit consists of a tubular heating element IS in which electrical resistance wires are located, as fully described in the above mentioned copending application. Surrounding this closed tube is a U- shaped member 20, as shown in Fig. 3. This member is shown in section in Fig. 2. In the lower portion of the member, at about the middle, is located a hole 2|. The ends of the U- shaped member are tacked to the radiator shell by spot welding or other suitable means. Hole 2| provides the entrance for water to the boiler unit. This water flows up and around the tube l5 and is heated so that steam passes upwardly from the boiler unit into the radiator sections.

I have discovered that as long as the portion of the water surrounding the heating element is substantially separated from the main body of water, dry steam will be formed and will pass up to heat the entire radiator. Without the boiler member 20, it is impossible to get steam to rise in the radiator. It will be noted that the top edges of the member 20, as shown in Fig. 2, extend above the normal water level in the radiator. This prevents any overflow from the main body of water into the boiler unit and makes the aperture 2| the sole entrance.

I claim:

1. In an electric steam radiator of the type having spaced hollow radiating sections connected at least at one end and a heating unit extending through the connecting portions, a boiler unit comprising a U-shaped unitary member extending throughout the length of said heating unit and spaced therefrom, having the open end of the U at the top.

2. In an electric steam radiator of the type having spaced hollow radiating sections connected at least at one end and a heating unit extending through the connecting portions, a boiler unit supported between the end sections of said radiator comprising a unitary tubular member of greater diameter than, and positioned around, said heating unit throughout the length of the radiator, said boiler unit having a cross section in the shape of an upright U with the top of the vertical legs being above the normal water line in the radiator, said boiler unit being provided with one or more openings in its lower surface to supply water to the heating unit.

3. In an electric steam radiator of the type having a plurality of spaced hollow radiating sections, means connecting said sections adjacent but spaced from the bottom thereof comprising joined neck portions aligned throughout the radiator, a heating unit extending through said radiator, and a boiler unit comprising a unitary tubular member surrounding said heating unit and supported in the connecting neck portions of said radiator sections between the ends of the radiator, said boiler unit having a cross section in the shape of an upright U with the top of the Vertical legs being above the normal water line in the radiator and being provided with one or more openings in its lower surface to supply water to the heating unit.

4. In an electric steam radiator of the type having a plurality of spaced hollow radiating sections, means connecting said sections adjacent but spaced from the bottom thereof comprising joined neck portions aligned throughout the radiator, a heating unit extending through said radiator, and a boiler unit comprising a unitary tubular member surrounding said heating unit and supported in the connecting neck portions of said radiator sections between the ends of the radiator, said boiler unit having a cross section in the shape of an upright U with the top of the vertical legs being above the normal water line in the radiator, the lower portion of the cross section being varied from that of the necked portions to permit passage of water from one section to another, and one or more openings in the lower surface of said boiler unit to permit a supply of water thereto from the radiator sections.

GEORGE F. MCINTOSH. 

